Villawood child released from detention

Reporter: Tony Jones

TONY JONES: A three-year-old girl who has lived in Sydney's Villawood detention centre since her birth is free tonight. Naomi Leong was released with her mother, Virginia, earlier this evening. Virginia Leong has been fighting deportation since she was caught trying to leave Australia with a false passport four years ago and placed in detention. She said this afternoon she couldn't believe she was about to leave Villawood when asked to sign bridging visa papers.

VIRGINIA LEONG, FORMER DETAINEE: I don't believe that this is my time and that is release me. I just thought, "It's a trick." But finally my lawyer asked me to sign it and it's alright, and then I'm out now!

TONY JONES: Earlier this month, the ABC's Investigative Unit revealed psychiatrists were concerned about the effects of prolonged detention on Naomi Leong. The Malaysian Government has agreed to give the three-year-old citizenship, but Virginia Leong - who also has a seven-year-old son in Sydney - believes accepting Malaysian citizenship will prevent her from seeing her son again. Ms Leong feels she could be refused re-entry into Australia.